Disney Layoffs Cripple Marvel Payments, Artists Unpaid

Marvel Comics, a titan in the industry, reportedly hasn't paid veteran inker Jonathan Glapion for months of work. The reason? A system-wide breakdown following Disney's recent mass layoffs. This isn't just an isolated oversight; it points to a wider payment crisis affecting freelancers across the company.

Glapion, known for his prolific work with legendary artist Greg Capullo, called out the publishing giant on social media. Capullo amplified the message, lamenting that despite his intervention, Glapion remains unpaid for five covers, all delivered ahead of schedule. When a figure of Capullo's stature — co-creator of Haunt, revered for his Batman and Spawn runs — speaks up, the industry listens. This isn't a small-time dispute; it's a major embarrassment.

The core issue directly stems from Disney's aggressive cost-cutting. Mass layoffs, particularly in administrative departments, have apparently gutted the personnel responsible for processing payments. Disney's payment systems are notoriously old, and without enough human staff to navigate them, the entire process has seized up. Freelancers and vendors are now left chasing payments with no one to answer their calls or emails. It's a classic example of corporate decisions having devastating, unforeseen consequences for the very creators who drive their content.